The pile of discarded batteries behind Jim Chernick’s farm shop was getting higher every year. On Dec. 2, he loaded 24 of them into his sagging truck and hauled them to a hazardous waste collection day in Rouleau, Sask., hosted by the Moose Jaw Watershed Stewards. “I’ve been looking forward to getting rid of them,” […] Read more
Stories by Karen Morrison
Hog trucker wins award
Outlook, Sask., trucker Marcel Vermette was recognized for going the extra mile in caring for the pigs he transports each week. Vermette, of Windridge Trucking, is the first recipient of the award of distinction for hog transportation handling, created by Sask Pork and the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan. Adele Buettner, FACS executive director, said […] Read more
Crafter works all year for Christmas giving
It’s Christmas year round at June Van De Kerckhove’s acreage near Moosomin, Sask. She begins designing wreaths and tree ornaments early in the new year after the completion of a whirlwind Christmas craft show circuit each fall. That’s followed by months of cutting, sanding and painting hundreds of tiny wooden treasures. “In the heat of […] Read more
CWD confirmed in elk
Two new cases of chronic wasting disease have been confirmed in farmed elk near Swift Current, Sask. Krista Howden of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency said both animals had been slaughtered and their heads sent for testing, as required under Saskatchewan’s mandatory CWD surveillance program. “The producer had noticed an animal not doing well and […] Read more
Speckle Park achieves breed status in Canada
THE BATTLEFORDS, Sask. – They stand a little shorter than the better known cattle breeds and are distinguished by a smattering of black and white on their hides. The Speckle Park, now a recognized breed in the cattle world, began life in the 1960s as a union between Black Angus owned by Maidstone, Sask., farmers […] Read more
Spotted herd fits thrifty nature
THE BATTLEFORDS, Sask. – Sporting a cowboy belt buckle and boots, Greg Melchior arrives at the ice rink to teach his figure skaters the waltz. His wife Jacqueline is amused by the blend of cowboy and coach, the mix of calves and Canasta Tango. “It’s a nice contrast,” she smiled. Off-farm work, which includes her […] Read more
Vegetable growers must buy into trendy food
Orange cauliflower and red carrots can serve up conversations at supper parties but they also offer opportunities for growers looking to diversify. Paul Banks of Stokes Seeds Ltd. detailed the latest trends in vegetables for delegates attending the Saskatchewan Greenhouse and Vegetable Growers conference in Saskatoon Nov. 10-12. He cited small, high-end market niches for […] Read more
Listen to messages plants send: specialist
Listening to the language of plants can help greenhouse growers use water more efficiently, says an Alberta Agriculture development specialist. Mohyuddin Mirza told delegates at the Saskatchewan Greenhouse and Vegetable Growers conference in Saskatoon Nov. 10-12 that plants can speak volumes through their appearance. Dark leaf colour, a short stunted appearance and the distance between […] Read more
Different presentations sell
Richard Broadwith can find carrots presented 20 different ways at his local grocer. “What the retailer is trying to do is put different products together to appeal to different shopper interests,” he told delegates gathered for the Saskatchewan Greenhouse and Vegetable Growers conference Nov. 10-12 in Saskatoon. Broadwith of BCI Marketing Partners believes that trend […] Read more
Farmers urged to forge stronger food chain link
The agricultural community has not done a good job of understanding and capitalizing on the steps food takes to get from the field to the plate, says a research associate with the George Morris Centre. Martin Gooch presented a workshop Nov. 16 in Saskatoon on value chains to help producers improve their bottom lines through […] Read more
